|RConstitution:|N Republic. A French Overseas department and administrative region.
|RNature and climate:|N Vulcanic island in the Indian Ocean, 780 km east of Madagascar and 180 km southwest of Mauritius. One of the Maskare-islands.
Mountainous island. Highest peak the volcano Piton de Neiges 3 069 m.a.s.l.
Subtropical climate. Average temperature in January 27°C and in July 21°C.
Percipitation 1400 mm.
|RPeople:|N A third of the population is of European descent.
|REconomy:|N Sugar accounts for 72% of the export value. Other important crops are bananas, maize, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, pineapples and vanilla.
Stockraizing also important as well as forestry and fishing.
|RHistory:|N Discovered by Portuguese about 1510 Réunion came in French possession 1638. 1946 the status was changed to an Overseas Department and from 1974 an administrative region.
The small and uninhabited islands of Juan de Nova, Europa, Basses da India, Îles Glorienses and Tromelin at various points adjacent to Madagascar are all administrated by Réunion. Mauritius and the Seychelles both claim Tromelin and Madagascar claim all five islands.
